Breaking News Instant updates and real-time market news.

2016-11-25 08:10:44

ODP

Office Depot

$4.90

0.08 (1.66%)

08:10

11/25/16

11/25

08:10

11/25/16

08:10

Office Depot enters definitive agreement to sell European business

In a regulatory filing, Office Depot disclosed that on November 22, the company entered into a definitive sale and purchase agreement to sell the company's European business operations. The annual revenue for the OD European Business is approximately EUR2B. The transaction is structured as an equity sale, for nominal consideration, with the purchasers acquiring the OD European Business with its assets and liabilities. The SPA contains customary warranties of Office Depot Foreign Holdings and the Purchasers. Subject to certain exceptions, these warranties will survive for a period from 12 months to 5 years following the closing of the Transaction. In the event of a breach, Office Depot Foreign Holdings may be subject to a claim for damages, which, in some cases, would be subject to certain limitations. Office Depot Foreign Holdings' aggregate liability for all warranty and indemnity claims under the SPA is limited in aggregate to EUR10M related to the OD European Business. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the calendar year, subject to the purchasers obtaining necessary regulatory approval. Until the closing date, the company has agreed to operate the OD European Business in the ordinary course. The company may provide certain transitional services to the purchasers for a limited period of time following the closing. As previously reported on September 23, Office Depot announced that it intended to sell its European business to The AURELIUS Group.

ODPOffice Depot

$4.90

0.08 (1.66%)

05/11/16

OPCO

05/11/16NO CHANGEOPCO

Office products retail outlook 'more precarious,' says Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel views the outlook for office products retail and its leading chains as "more and more precarious," following the decision of a federal judge to side with the Federal Trade Commission and halt the proposed merger of Staples (SPLS) and Office Depot (ODP). Both companies have already announced intentions to focus on internal opportunities and plans to restructure their operating models, which should lead to better bottom-line trends, nearer term, the analyst tells investors in a research note. He adds, however, that top-line growth will remain a challenge, given significant competition and product cycle dislocations. Nagel also notes that he believes that the blocking of this merger could set a precedent for the retail group on whole, viewing a combination of either AutoZone (AZO) or O'Reilly Auto (ORLY) with Advance Auto Parts (AAP) as less than likely.

05/11/16

05/11/16DOWNGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst downgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst downgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Office Depot (ODP) downgraded to Hold at Jefferies and to Sell at UBS while Staples (SPLS) was downgraded to Hold at Jefferies and Neutral at UBS after the merger was blocked and terminated. Jefferies analyst Daniel Binder said both companies are now vulnerable to secular decline and increased competition. UBS analyst Michael Lasser said Staples' earnings will likely stagnate while Office Depot's sales will likely continue trending downward. 2. Sapiens (SPNS) downgraded to Sell at Roth Capital by analyst Richard Baldry, who said software sales eroded steadily in 2015, leaving the company unwilling to break out software contribution any longer. 3. SeaWorld (SEAS) double downgraded to Underperform at Credit Suisse with analyst Benjamin Chaiken saying expectations for the company are ahead of themselves heading into the 2016 season. 4. Ross Stores (ROST) downgraded to Underweight at Piper Jaffray by analyst Neely Tamminga, who cited the weak consumer environment and said the shares could come under pressure should the first fiscal quarter underwhelm investors. 5. EPIRUS (EPRS) downgraded to Neutral at BTIG and Wedbush after yesterday's announcement of management changes and a strategic change in direction. Wedbush analyst Heather Behanna said 2016 will bring little news flow or clarity on pipeline progress outside of potential partnering activities. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.

05/17/16

UBSW

05/17/16NO CHANGETarget $4UBSWSell

Office Depot investors should proceed with caution, says UBS

UBS said the Office Depot strategic update was underwhelming, but that low expectations have been priced into the stock. The firm noted the company has hired Bain Capital to help it explore alternatives, but said until more strategic direction detail is released it is best to proceed with caution. UBS reiterated its Sell rating and $4 price target on Office Depot shares.

05/23/16

05/23/16UPGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst upgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Allegheny Technologies (ATI) double upgraded to Buy at BofA/Merrill by analyst Timna Tanners, who has increased confidence in the company's engine positioning giving a solid outlook for aerospace and a more neutral view on nickel prices. 2. Universal Display (OLED) upgraded to Buy at Goldman with analyst Brian Lee saying the company should be a key beneficiary of Apple's (AAPL) first-time adoption of OLED displays for iPhone starting in 2017. 3. Schlumberger (SLB) upgraded to Conviction Buy at Goldman by analyst Waqar Syed, who said the company is best positioned for the "New Oil Order" due to its exposure to incremental sources of oil supply. 4. Square (SQ) upgraded to Buy at CLSA following the lockup expiration and overblown credit concerns. The firm said the lockup expiration is behind the company. 5. Staples (SPLS) double upgraded to Buy at BofA/Merrill by analyst Denise Chai, who said the sell-off following the termination of the Office Depot (ODP) merger has created an attractive entry point ahead of a potential earnings upside. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.